After years of being one of the worst teams in their conference, the Orlando Magic are dazzling fans.
They have now won nine games in a row, hold a 14-5 record, and are the second-best team in the East.
Speaking on SHOWTIME Basketball, NBA legends Kevin Garnett and Paul Pierce talked about the magic brewing in Orlando.
They both agreed that Orlando was once a destination where NBA players could rest: they’d fly in for their game, have some fun, kick back, and not worry about the Magic.
That isn’t the case anymore and now players need to be on their toes and prepared for a tough fight.
No going out in Orlando anymore.
The @orlandomagic are the NBA’s hottest team right now.
New episode of Ticket and The Truth is available now on our YouTube. #MagicTogether pic.twitter.com/fDeo0oeEeY
— SHOWTIME Basketball (@shobasketball) December 1, 2023
The Magic aren’t making it easy on NBA opponents for a number of reasons.
Paolo Banchero has proven that his Rookie of the Year trophy wasn’t a fluke, Franz Wagner has fully transformed into a legitimate NBA monster, while Jalen Suggs, Cole Anthony, and others have been raining points down on every team.
Plus, the Magic have been producing strong defensive plays, grinding their competition down and playing with fierce energy.
It is no surprise to hear that they now have the third-best defensive rating in the league.
The energy and the youth of the Magic are part of what makes them so special.
And the depth of their roster is also very helpful because they are attacking from multiple angles.
The Magic were counted out for so long and are now making up for lost time.
With its delicious restaurants, beautiful locales, and fancy hotels, Orlando used to be a city for NBA stars to get some R&R but that isn’t the case anymore and it might not be for some time.
